Court Orders INEC To Replace Uzodinma With Okorocha On APC Senatorial List

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, from its list of candidates for the Imo West Senatorial District election and publish former governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 polls.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the directive on Thursday while delivering judgment in a dispute over the outcome of the APC primary election conducted on May 18 and monitored by INEC.

The court held that evidence, including official scorecards and reports relating to the primary, established that Okorocha secured the majority of valid votes cast, making him the rightful winner of the exercise.

Consequently, Justice Egwuatu ordered the APC to immediately forward Okorocha’s name to INEC as its nominated candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District, also known as Orlu Zone, in the 2027 general elections.

The judge also granted a perpetual injunction restraining Uzodinma from parading, advertising or presenting himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial seat.

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The ruling places responsibility on both the APC and INEC to give effect to the court’s directives, with the electoral commission specifically ordered to update its official publication of candidates to reflect Okorocha’s nomination.

The dispute centred on the conduct and outcome of the May 18 primary, with the court relying on the evidence presented before it to determine who secured the majority of valid votes.

The election for the Imo West Senatorial District is scheduled for January 16, 2027, as preparations continue for the next general elections.

The judgment marks a significant legal development in the APC’s nomination process for the senatorial district, with the court directing the party and INEC to recognise Okorocha as its candidate.